The Republican Hatred For Women... Well Not Women THAT Way-- Just The Liberated, Equality Way

I never could really understand how a political party could be so stupid as to pick a fight with a whole gender... I mean, like half the population. After reading Cory Robin's The Reactionary Mind I understand how conservatives just can't help themselves but surely the political strategists for a political party that wants to win elections to further their primary goals would have the self discipline not to put that fight. You would think. But you would think wrong.

All this crazy stuff from their national candidates-- and not just the surging crackpot from the extreme right but even the so-called formerly mainstream one-- about women's health issues is a real turnoff to millions of women-- and men who like and respect women. Choice and birth control have had a profound effect on the ability of women to develop as full and free humans. A boon for them, for sure-- and a boon for society just as much (at least). And as Greg Sargent pointed out in the Washington Post on Monday, the Republican Party, trapped by their own fringe kooks, has forced itself into a dark little corner they may not be able to extricate themselves from. And who better to lead the Republican charge that closeted homosexual and woman-hater, Mitch "Miss" McConnell (R-KY)? He's talking about a crusade! A crusade? To put women back in the kitchen. Barefoot?

In the House it will be easy for the Republicans to find dozens of far right ideologues of the female persuasion to back up the new anti-women jihad. That's how freaks like Michele Bachmann, Virginia Foxx, Mean Jean Schmidt and Sandy Adams role. In the Senate-- a little harder. You need a little more intellectual heft and political savvy to get elected in most states-- though apparently not New Hampshire-- to get elected to a Senate seat. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both of whom have been around long enough to know, were aghast at McConnell's crusade announcement. Freshman teabagger Kelly Ayotte... not so much.

Snowe: “It appears that changes have been made that provide women’s health services without compelling Catholic organizations in particular to violate the beliefs and tenets of their faith.”

Collins: “While I will carefully review the details of the president’s revised proposal, it appears to be a step in the right direction...The administration has finally listened to the concerns raised by many and appears to be seeking to avoid the threat to religious liberties posed by its original plan.”

...Ayotte: "The president’s proposal leaves religious institutions vulnerable to federal coercion. This debate has always been about religious freedom. As I fight for a full repeal of Obamacare, I will continue to push for a legislative solution that protects conscience rights.”

And as usual, Scott Brown (R-MA), though not technically a woman, is floundering and unable to make up his mind or take a stand one way or the other.